For someone suffering from an allergic response to pollen, one of the most annoying symptoms is itchy, red, watery eyes. Just like sinus passages, your eyes may respond to the presence of pollen triggers that cause irritation or conjunctivitis. In addition to oral antihistamine and decongestant options, you may need eye drops to treat the discomfort.
Instructions
- Evaluate whether it is the season for your allergies and whether your symptoms seem to match up with those of allergic conjunctivitis. Symptoms include watery eyes, itchiness and redness, swelling around the eyelids and blurry vision.
- Purchase some non-prescription "artificial tears" from the pharmacy or store. They will not harm your eyes, and they may ease irritation and dryness.
- Make an appointment with an allergist or an opthamologist for an exam and discuss your symptoms. The doctor will examine your eyes to ensure that symptoms are triggered by your pollen allergies and not by something else. You may receive a prescription for eye drops to treat your condition.
- Educate yourself about what types of eye drops are available. If your physician confirms your allergic conjunctivitis and does not give you prescription drops, read the over-the-counter labels carefully to select the best type of drops to treat your symptoms.
- Wash your hands before and after using your eye drops to prevent the spread of germs to or from the eyes. Don't rub your eyes, as this furthers irritation and can pass along infection.
- Discuss combination treatment options with your doctor. He may suggest using an oral antihistamine to increase the effectiveness of your allergy eye drops. Sometimes, even applying a cold compress to the eyes can bring additional relief.
Step 1:
Evaluate whether it is the season for your allergies and whether your symptoms seem to match up with those of allergic conjunctivitis. Symptoms include watery eyes, itchiness and redness, swelling around the eyelids and blurry vision.
Step 2:
Purchase some non-prescription "artificial tears" from the pharmacy or store. They will not harm your eyes, and they may ease irritation and dryness.
Step 3:
Make an appointment with an allergist or an opthamologist for an exam and discuss your symptoms. The doctor will examine your eyes to ensure that symptoms are triggered by your pollen allergies and not by something else. You may receive a prescription for eye drops to treat your condition.
Step 4:
Educate yourself about what types of eye drops are available. If your physician confirms your allergic conjunctivitis and does not give you prescription drops, read the over-the-counter labels carefully to select the best type of drops to treat your symptoms.
Step 5:
Wash your hands before and after using your eye drops to prevent the spread of germs to or from the eyes. Don't rub your eyes, as this furthers irritation and can pass along infection.
Step 6:
Discuss combination treatment options with your doctor. He may suggest using an oral antihistamine to increase the effectiveness of your allergy eye drops. Sometimes, even applying a cold compress to the eyes can bring additional relief.
Tips & Warnings
- Remember, eye drops come in several varieties, including decongestants, antihistamines and steroids. Some drops are designed for short-term use only, especially steroids and decongestants.
- Always check the date on your eye drops, as their sterility is only guaranteed for a limited time. Expired drops may contain bacteria or dirt, which may cause infection.
- Do not share your eye drops or use those of friends or family members, as bacteria is easily passed through the eye.
How to Treat Eye Allergies
Eye allergies affect more than seven in 10 people with allergies. Although not contagious, this type of eye problem can cause discomfort and aggravation to sufferers.
An eye allergy can be seasonal when caused by pollens at a certain time of year, or year-round when caused by pets, feathers, perfumes, or eye makeup.
Eye allergies are usually, but not always, associated with other allergic conditions, particularly hay fever and eczema, says Joseph A. Eviatar, M.D., FACS, an eye surgeon in New York City. "But you don't need to suffer with them. Medical and self-care treatments can provide relief."
Symptoms
Eye allergies usually affect both eyes. The main symptoms of an eye allergy (also called allergic conjunctivitis) include itchy eyes, increased tearing, red or pink eyes, and mild swelling of the eyelids.
"If the eye is sticky in the morning, it's probably a bacterial infection," says Dr. Eviatar. "If the eye burns, it's likely dry eye. If the eye itches, the problem is probably allergies, especially if the lower lid is more affected than the upper lid. Constant rubbing of the eyes often accompanies untreated allergies and can lead to more serious skin irritations."
Sometimes an eye infection can develop in addition to the eye allergy. This occurs when bacteria on your fingers or hands enter your eyes after scratching or rubbing them.
Self-care
Home treatment often can provide relief from allergy-related discomfort. Try the following:
Avoid the outdoors in the mid-morning and early evening, when pollen counts are highest.
Use air conditioners instead of window fans, because fans can suck in pollen and mold from outdoors.
When outdoors, wear sunglasses to limit the amount of pollen that can reach your eyes.
To keep dust mites at a minimum, wash bedding, especially pillows, in hot water.
Use a damp mop when cleaning the floor and a damp rag when dusting.
Wash your hands after handling or petting an animal.
If you have a pet that you're allergic to, keep it out of your house, if possible, or at least, out of your bedroom.
Clean humid places in your house—the bathroom, the kitchen, the basement—regularly to cut down on mold.
Even if your eyes itch, don't rub them.
Wash off allergens. If you've been outside, use a wet washcloth to clean allergens off the eyelids and surrounding area. Artificial tears can help wash allergens from the eyes. Apply a cold washcloth to the itchy eyes. Wash your hair every night because it collects lots of pollen.
Use antihistamine eye drops or vasoconstrictor eye drops. If your eyes are still itchy or bloodshot after you rinse them, apply over-the-counter eye drops. Don't use the OTC eye drops for more than two to three days. Longer use can cause your eyes to become even more irritated.
Apply a cold compress to puffy eyes.
Try an oral antihistamine. If the previous measures aren't effective, take an oral antihistamine. Check with your doctor first, though, because some oral antihistamines can cause dry eyes and more irritation. Also, some of these medications have unpleasant side effects, such as sleepiness, dizziness, or excitability.
Get help
If the problem persists after two days of self-care, contact your eye doctor as soon as possible. The doctor may prescribe one of the following:
Antihistamine eye drops. The relief that these eye drops offer lasts only a few hours, however.
Mast cell stabilizers. These are eye drops used as a preventive measure and are taken before you are exposed to an allergen.
A combination of antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops.
Corticosteroid eye drops. Because of side effects, these should only be used short-term and under the care of an ophthalmologist.
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